An 80-year-old woman died after being hit in the face with a tear gas canister in Marseille on Saturday, amid the worst riots France has seen since 1968.

The innocent woman, who lived close to where the yellow vests protests were taking place in the southern French city, was hit when she was closing the shutter of a window at her home.

She was rushed to the hospital but died after suffering shock.

The aftermath of the yellow vest demonstration in Marseille, France, December 1, 2018. /VCG photo

Over the last few weeks, what started as protests over fuel taxes in France have exploded into a nationwide movement against rising living costs.

On Saturday, the unrest degenerated into arson and looting around the Champs-Elysees avenue and other famous landmarks in Paris.

Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, told French media that Saturday's protests had caused between three to four million euros (3.4-4.5 million U.S. dollars) worth of damage.

Tear gas surrounds police guarding the Champs Elysees in Paris, December 1, 2018. /VCG photo

Macron faces crisis

French President Emmanuel Macron has not spoken publicly about the destruction in Paris since his return from the G20 summit in Argentina.

On Monday, he met with police officers involved in trying to quell the riots.

Macron had vowed not to back down on fuel taxes and said he would never accept violence while in Buenos Aires.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe was scheduled on Tuesday to meet with moderate members of the movement.

But yellow vest representatives, who had extended a hand of dialogue after the Paris riots, said they had decided against attending planned talks with Philippe for security reasons.

On Monday the government indicated that it might make concessions, with Philippe's office saying he would announce measures in favor of the protesters.

(CGTN)